NYC has solar, wind power plans for old dump site

A New York City site once known for the size of its garbage heaps would be home to alternative energy sources that could generate 20 megawatts of renewable power, now that the city is soliciting bids to build and operate a wind farm and solar power plant there.

City officials put out a request for proposals on Tuesday to build solar and wind power facilities at Staten Island's Fresh Kills landfill. With 75 acres available for lease, city officials say the project at the closed landfill could generate enough energy to power 6,000 homes and would double the city's renewable energy capacity.

The landfill closed in March 2001. It reopened briefly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack as a sorting place for debris from the World Trade Center.